The Jewish upsherin ceremony is held on a child's third birthday, where they receive their first haircut. The upsherin ceremony marks a new stage in a child's life, an intellectual coming-of-age and the passage from babyhood to childhood, a ceremony rooted in tradition and celebration. Remember, an upsherin ceremony can be celebrated in many different ways, so adapt the following to suit your family's traditions.

Steps

1

Do not cut your child's hair until they are 3 years old.

2

Invite friends and family over. The upsherin ceremony is held on the child's first birthday, and takes place either in a synagogue or at home.

3

Have the child dip their fingers in honey, and spread them over cards with Hebrew letters on them whilst Divrei Torah (words of the Torah) are spoken by family members or your rabbi. The child is blessed for success in life.

4

Your child may also sing "Torah tziva Lanu Moshe" (Deut. 33:34)

5

Have your rabbi or head of family snip off a lock from your child's head where the tefillin will be worn later in life. The scissors should then be passed round the family and friends gathered, who will each cut a lock. It is then recommended you ask a professional barber to finish the haircut.

6

The child will might then receive their first tzitzit (fringes from the tallit prayer shawl).

7

Hebrew music and dancing may be performed to celebrate your child's upsherin ceremony.

8

You may wish to weigh your child's hair and give an equivalent amount to charity, or donate it to organizations which make wigs for those suffering of cancer.